To the Checkout Assistant That Made Me Completely Wordless – My Hat's Off to You
The scene was a day of rest, and I was in a foul mood, topping off my mum’s car. It was a common fuel stop that doubles as a supermarket, which often leads of joining a queue shoppers with carts of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to happen when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
I was fourth in the waiting line. There was only employee working, a young woman. There was something unusual about her. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had finally paid for his Viakal, a baked snack, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn I heard the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. I pondered if she could even be a supporter in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for those who delay straightforward customers such as myself.
I moved up, now third in line. The new leader of our line completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here tells people those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. Rarely does one encounter people from America frequenting this area, certainly not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.
I was second now. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her food items, her wallet and her rewards card. This took an eternity. Once completed, the woman also was wished to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to check for that response as they gaze at you, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to utter.
I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, that equates to identical in effect – as she gazed me right in the eye, piercingly, and bid me an awesome day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.
